Imagine building a city, but being invisible in it. Imagine building homes for thousands of people, but not owning a house yourself.

That’s the paradox that migrant workers live by, every day. They help us build roads, buildings, and other infrastructure on which the city develops. Migrant workers seeking better livelihood opportunities often end up in the informal sector, and become invisible in the eyes of the public and the eyes of the government.

Why does this happen?

1. They do not know what they are eligible for: They are often unaware of their rights and entitlements.
2. Documents do not travel with them: Their documents are usually tied to their native place, such as ration cards, Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Most schemes still don’t allow easy portability, leaving migrants ineligible in the cities where they live and work.
3. Procedural hurdles: Many times the government officials are dismissive, non-cooperative and untrusting of migrant workers, thus making it hard for them to be recognised by the government. The process is usually time and energy consuming;  for someone earning a daily wage, a day lost queuing is a day without income.

Due to the above reasons, they are often left behind, not able to access essential social welfare schemes such as health insurance under Ayushman Bharat, maternity benefits, pension schemes, housing subsidies, or even basic identity as registered construction workers- all of which are critical to their security and dignity.

What is Sampark doing?

We believe that access to entitlements is not a privilege but a basic human right. Here is how we improve migrant workers’ access to rights and entitlements, thus improving their visibility and bridging the gap.

1. Provide End-to-End Support: Sampark holds every migrant workers’ hand from the beginning to the end of their journey in accessing their entitlements. Be it availing Ayushman Bharath health insurance or opening a bank account, Sampark is supporting the migrant worker in every possible step.

“I had no idea how I’d afford ₹1.5 lakhs for the angiogram. Sampark ensured my Ayushman Bharat card covered my expenses, and I could go through the surgery with peace of mind.”
-A migrant construction worker (name hidden) registered with Sampark, who underwent heart surgery in 2024.

1. One-stop Center: Our 3 Worker Resource Centers across Bangalore are a one-stop center for migrant workers to understand their social, legal and health-related rights and entitlements, complete paperwork, and track applications.

1. Available 24/7: Our migrant workers’ helpline number 080-68972050 provides information to workers on their rights, entitlements and government benefits, in two languages-Kannada and Hindi. The workers can get assistance with opening bank accounts, going to the nearest public healthcare facility, understanding the different benefits offered by the KBOCWWB for migrant workers, among other services.

1. Focus on Capacity Building and Sustainability: We build the capacities of migrant workers through awareness camps that educate them about their health, diseases, their rights, and the welfare schemes they are entitled to. We also connect them to support systems like the Construction Workers’ Union (Karnataka Kattada Shramikara Sangha), enabling long-term self-reliance and collective strength.

“My workers hadn’t been paid for three months. With guidance from Sampark and support from the Union, I found the courage to confront the employer. Using my identity card from the Karnataka Kattada Shramikara Sangha gave me the confidence to demand what was rightfully ours. The support I received reminded me that workers are not alone;  with the right information and backing, we can stand up for our rights.”
-A migrant worker and a mason, registered with the Karnataka Kattada Shramikara Sangha (KKSS)

Impact created

In the past year, 2025-24,

• 481 migrant workers accessed government benefits, worth more than INR 10 million, including benefits worth more than INR 100k from the Karnataka government’s Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (KBOCWWB).
• 2,250 migrant workers gained access to public health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharath, of which 6 availed free treatment under the same. They reduced their out-of-pocket expenditures with ease.
• 252 migrant women took their first steps towards food security and improved economic conditions, by being linked to Karnataka government’s Annabhagya and Gruhalakshmi Schemes respectively.
• 3 migrant mothers exercised their rights to good pre- and post-natal healthcare by availing benefits under the maternity schemes of the KBOCWWB.

The path to inclusive cities begins with recognising the people who build them. At Sampark, we are not just helping migrant workers access entitlements, we are helping them reclaim their identity, dignity, and rightful place in society. By improving visibility through awareness, access, and collective action, we are aligning our work with national and international priorities, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to create an inclusive and equitable society for all.